Western New Mexico University’s nationally recognized School of Nursing is growing its bachelor’s degree program in nursing (BSN), working to better prepare nurses for healthcare careers.
More than 40 students are admitted each year into the School of Nursing, which has been offering an associate degree program since 1988. Students traditionally become nurses after graduating from the associate degree program and passing a licensure exam.
The new focus is to graduate nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), better preparing them for a career in nursing and transitioning into administrative roles.
“Large cities and major hospitals are not hiring associate degree prepared nurses,” said John Scarbrough, School of Nursing Associate Dean. “With a bachelor’s degree you can work anywhere.”
WNMU is one of only three state-supported institutions offering the pre-licensure Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN) program in New Mexico, out of 26 total pre-licensure nursing programs in the state.
“An Institute of Medicine report indicated that nurses are being charged with carrying more of the load in taking care of sick people and that nurses should practice at the highest levels afforded by their education,” said Scarbrough.
The focus on graduating future nurses at a higher education level will not create an enormous difference in the classroom experience for students in the program. Students will graduate with one extra semester of coursework while the licensure test will remain the same.
“This shift in direction will help the community because the community will have better prepared nurses taking care of them,” said Scarbrough.
There is currently a waiting list for students entering the associate and bachelor program for the fall of 2016. Applications are due by June 15. For more information, visit http://nursing.wnmu.edu or contact 575-538-6960.